Apparatus for forming offsets in sheet material



Ffib. 11, 1930. Q Q QVERMIRE Q 1,746,864

APPARATUS FOR FORMING OFFSETS IN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Oct. 24, 192 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Z. C. COVERJIIRE BY waw ATTORNEY Feb. 11, 1930. c. c. OVERMIRE 1,746,864

APPARATUS FOR FORMING OFFSETS IN SHEET MATERIAL Filed Oct. 24, 192'? 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C. C OVER/WI E BY m 54AM y 4 I I 9 ATTORNEYPatented Feb. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFEOE CHARLES C. OVERMIRE,OF BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO KRIMPWIRE COM- PANY, OF OAKLAND,CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA APPARATUS FOR FORMING OFFSETS INSHEET MATERIAL Application filed October 24, 1927. Serial No. 228,216.

The invention relates to the forming of 011'- sets in sheet material andparticularly to an improved apparatus for forming furring olfsets inreinforcing netting.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved means for formingoffsets in net ting having selvage edges thicker than the inner portionsof the netting.

Another object of the invention is to prol9 vide improved means forguiding the netting through apparatus of the character described.

A further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of theclass described improved means for facilitating the removal of thefinished product therefrom.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means foreffecting an adj usuable and yielding pressure engagement of thecrimping rollers of the apparatus against the netting.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus, with netting disposed therein.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken 011 the line 33 inFigure 1 showing netting disposed in the apparatus.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the operativerelation of the crimping and feed rollers of the apparatus to thecrimped nettin Figure 5 is an end view of the apparatus taken from thefeeding end thereof.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of a removable arbor and drivingconnections therefor forming part of the invention.

As hereinbefore indicated, the apparatus of my invention is particularlydesigned for forming a self-furring plaster netting by suitablyoffsetting spaced portions of preformed screen or netting 7.Essentially, the apparatus comprises a mandrel 8 carrying a roll 9 ofuncrimped netting, cooperating rollers 11 and 12 between which thenetting 7 is arranged to be drawn from the roll 9, a pair of cooperatingcrimping rollers 13 and 14: between which the netting is thereafterpassed in engaged relation, and a removable roller or mandrel 15 onwhich the crimped netting isarranged to be rolled for removal from theapparatus. The various mandrels and rollers are carried in suitablebearings preferably provided on a common frame 16, and are parallellydisposed.

Means are provided for efiecting simultaneous and appropriate rotationsof the different rollers, such means comprising the provision of a driveshaft 17 journalled in the frame and operatively connected to thevarious rollersas here shown, the shaft 17 is arranged to be driventhrough suitable connections with a power shaft 18 journalled in theframe. Mounted on the shaft 17 and meshing with gears 19 and 21 fixed atcorresponding ends of the roller 11 and the crimping roller 13respectively, is a pinion 22, while a gear 23 is provided on thecrimping roller 14 to engage with the gear 21 of the roller'13. In thismanner, rotation of the drive shaft 17 is arranged to simultaneouslyeffect appropriate rotations of the rollers 11, 13 and let in suchmanner that the screen will be drawn forward by and between the crimpingrollers 18 and 1 1 and over the roller 11, it being noted that thelatter roller is disposed to deflect the netting out of a direct linebetween its line of leaving the roll 9 thereof and its line of contactwith rollers 13 and 141.

The crimping rollers 13 and 141 are preferably arranged to beinoperatively disposed with respect to each other during the operationof the apparatus and without changing the relative relations of theircooperating crimping portions, and means for permitting such separationare accordingly provided. An idler gear 24 is mounted on the frame forit meshed engagement both with the pinion 21 and the gear 23 of theroller 14. The roller 14, it will be noted, is journalled on and betweena pair of levers 26 disposed at the opposite ends thereof, such leversbeing pivoted to the frame for movement about an axis coinciding withthe axis of rotation of the gear 24in this manner, the levers 26 may beswung about said last axis to disengage the gear 23 from the gear 21without changing the meshing relation of the gear teeth of such gears,itbeing noted that, under these circumstances, the gears 21 and 23 musthave the same number of teeth. Means are provided for facilitating thesetting of the gears 21 and 23 in either an engaged or disengagecrelation, and such set ing is here shown as arranged to be effected bymeans of the manual rotation of a shaft 27 journalled in an upwardlyextending frame portion and having radial arms 28, between which armsand the free ends of the lever 26, links 29 of adjustable length areoperatively disposed. Preferably, and as shown, the relation of eachlever 26, corresponding arm 28 and their connectinglink 29 is such thatwhen the roller 14 is operatively disposed, the pivotal axis of theconnection of the link 29 to the arm 28 is generally between the pivotalaxis at the other end of the link and the axis of shaft 27, and slightlyout of the plane defined by said axes. A r0- tation of the shaft 27 torock the lever 26 is arranged to be effected by means of a lever arm 31extending from the shaft and so related thereto that when the shaft isrotated thereby to effect an inoperative disposition of the roller 14,the axes of the pivotal connections between the links and arms 28 mustpass through dead-center positions. In this manner the roller 14 will.tend to remain set in either its operative or inoperative position andthe netting may be released from operative engagement by and between therollers 11 and 12 at any time without necessitating the operativerunning of a complete roll through the apparatus. The free extremity ofthe arm 31 is a ranged, when the roller 14 is operatively disposed, toengage a stop 32 provided on the frame whereby the roller 14 may assumea predetermined relation to the roller 13 when in cooperative relationtherewith.

It will now be noted that it may be desired to crimp netting ofdifferent gauge or thickness in the apparatus, in which event ustment ofthe operative positioning of the roller 14 with respect to the roller 13will be necessary. Preferably, and as here shown, such adjustment isarranged to be effected through the adjustment of the length of thelinks 29 by means of turn buckles 33 connecting link sections 34 and 36having their opposed ends oppositely threaded for engagement in the turnbuckle. The link sections 34 are each provided with an eye 37 foreffecting the pivotal connection thereof to the cooperating shaft arm,while the free ends of the link sections 36 are longitudinally slidablein pivot blocks 38 pivoted to the lever ends, the extremities of thesection 36 being headed to prevent their withdrawal from the blocks 38.Helical compression springs 39 are operatively disposed about thesections 36 and between the blocks 38 and nuts 41 mounted on thethreaded portions of the sections, whereby the links may be resilientlymaintained at their maximum lengths. In this manner, the length of thelinks may be adjusted as required and the passage of an overly largeobject between the rollers is permitted through the resilient andyielding engagement of the roller 14 with the netting at the roller 13,the emergency release thus provided being important as a protectionagainst damage to the apparatus, it being noted that the strength of thesprings 39 is such as will permit the engagement of the roller 14 withthe netting with a total force exceeding that represented by the weightof the roller.

Preferably, and as shown, the roller 12 is mounted to rest upon and besupported by the netting as it passes over the roller 11, and to bedisplaced from said position when and as desired. Accordingly, the endsof roller 12 are journalled in the extremities of lever arms 42extending from a shaft 43 disposed across and journalled in the frame insuch relation to the roller 11 that an appropriate rocking of the shaft43 will lift the roller 12 from its operative position, it being notedthat the degree of bearing of the roller 12 on the netting is determinedentirely by the weight of the roller. Means are provided for effectingthe rotation of the shaft 43 for displacing the roller 12, and as hereshown such means comprises the provision of a foot lever 44 pivoted atone end to the base of the frame, provided at the other end with a pedal46, and connected at an intermediate point thereof to the extremity ofan arm 47 extending from the shaft 43 by means of a link 48 whereby adepression of the pedal 46 is arranged to effect an inoperative disposalof the roller 12. It will now be noted that metallic fabrics of thetypes generally used for the production of'self-furring reinforcingnetting are usually provided with selvage edges which form the thickestportion of the fabric so that truly cylindrical rollershaving the fabricgripped between them, actually grip only the selvage with a sufiicientdegree of force to insure the carrying out of the crimping process inthe best possible manner since they leave the interior of the fabricrelatively loose. In the present instance, the apparatus is particularlyarranged for forming furring offsets in the so-called chicken wirehaving an hexagonal mesh and with the selvage thereof at least threestrands in thickness while the maximum interior thickness of the fabricis but that of two strands. In order that the area of the fabric be notdecreased in forming the offsets therein, the selvage strands are notincluded in the offsets, and it is therefore not necessary that thecrimping rollers have a gripping engagement with the selvage edges ofthe fabric. Accordingly, the crimping rollers are preferably 50 formedopposite the selvage of the fabric that they do not forcibly engage thesame, and as here shown, the lower crimping roller 13 is formed at itsends with slightly reduced portions 49 whereby the selvage will not actbetween the rollers to hold them apart and the full operative engagementof the rollers with the interior portions of the fabric is permitted.For the same reason, the upper feed roller 12 is also pro vided withreduced ends 51, the reductions of the lower crimp roller and upper feedroller cooperating to overcome any tendency of the selvage to becomeoffset from the plane of the netting, since it is maintained in bearingrelation with the upper crimp roller 14 and lower feed roller 11.Preferably, the reduction in the size of the rollers opposite theselvage is only enough to just prevent a gripping engagement thereofbetween the rollers whereby the selvage edge will be further andpositively guided to maintain its proper relation to the remainder ofthe netting.

It will now be noted that the cooperating means provided on thecircumferential surfaces of the crimping rollers for providing interioroffsets 52 in the netting comprise the provision in the lower crimpingroller 11 of inwardly directed longitudinal grooves 53 constitutingfemale dies, and the provision on the upper roller 14 of cooperatingmale dies 54 preferably arranged to be adjustably disposed along suchroller. On account of the particularly firm engagement of the nettingbetween the rollers 13 and 14, and the grip on the fabric provided bythe die members as they operativelv engage the same. the crimpingrollers obviously also serve, as well as the feed rollers 11 and 12, tofeed the netting forwardly as it is crimped, and such fact is utilizedto maintain a tightly stretched relati on of the fabric between the feedand crimping rollers. It will now be noted that if the lower feed roller11 be of the same size as the crimping rollers and be rotated at aslightly slower rate, or if such roller be smaller than the crimpingrollers and rotated at the same speed. a drag will be created againstthe forward feeding of the netting by the crimping rollers and thedesired stretching effect will be secured. The latter device is utilizedin the present instance, it being noted that when the tension in thenetting exceeds a given value, the netting will be pulled forwardlybetween the rollers 11 and 12 to relieve the excess tension.

Means are provided for effecting the rolling of the criinped netting onthe roller 15 as the netting is delivered from between the crimpingrollers. As here shown, such means comprises the provision of beltpulleys 56 and 57 at corresponding ends of the drive shaft 17 and ashaft 58 journalled in the frame in axial alignment with the roller 15.The pulleys 56 and 57 are operativcly connected by means of a belt 60and are so related that tension will be maintained in the crimped wirepor tions between the roller 15 and the crimping rollers. Since, as theroll of crimped wire on the roller 15 becomes larger, the tensional pullon the netting will increase, means are provided for permitting thenecessary amount of belt slip to prevent such pull becoming excessive.Accordingly, and as here shown, a shaft 59 is journalled on the frame 16intermediate the crimping rollers and the roller 15, such shaft beingprovided with generally oppositely extending arms 61 and 62, the formerhaving mounted at its extremity a loose pulley 63, while the lattercarries a counter-weight 64 disposed in parallel relation to the shaft59. It will now be noted that the pulley 6-3 is arranged to be held inpressure engagement with the belt 60 by means of the action of thecounter-weight 6% whereby it will normally deflect the belt out ofstraight line between its points of tangency with the pulleys. In thismanner, as the pull of roller 15 on the netting increases to a pointwhere the belt is straightened against the resistance of the pulley 63,the belt 60 is allowed to slip on its pulleys, and an excessive pull onthe netting is thus prevented.

To effect the before mentioned removable mounting of the receivingroller or mandrel 15 on the frame, the latter is provided at itsextremities with stub shafts 66 which are arranged to be disposed inhalf-bearings 67 provided at the forward end of the frame. Mounted atthe extremity of the stub shaft 66 of the roller 15 to extend axiallytherefrom in eccentric relation thereto are clutch teeth 68, whileextending from the inner end of the pulley shaft 58 are clutch teeth 69similarly disposed with respect to the shaft axis as are the teeth 68 tothe roller axis. lVhen the roller 15' is mounted in the bearings 67 withthe teeth 68 thereof toward the shaft 58, the teeth 68 and 69 arearranged to be disoosed for movement in the same path whereby they mayengage as a clutch for effecting a rotation of the roller 15 from theshaft 58, and will become disengaged as and when the roller isdismounted from its bearings. In this manner, the ready removal andreplacement of the roller 15 is permitted with a minimum ofmanipulation.

Means are provided for manually guiding the netting as it passes fromthe supply mandrel 8 over the feed roller 11, and hero shown such meanscomprises the provision of a pair of rods 71 pivoted to the frame atopposite sides thereof and adjacent the bottom and arranged to bemanually pressed against an adjacent selvage edge of the netting wherebythe tracking of the latter with respect to the feed rollers may becorrected. The pivotal mounting of the rods is preferably such as willpermit their movement in any desired direction about the pivot pointthereof whereby, when they are forcibly engaged with the nettingselvage, they may move therewith between the supply roll and feedrollers. lVhen not in use, the rods 71 are arranged to be disposed inrests 72 pro-' vided on the frame.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for forming offsets in a strip of sheet material havingthickened side edges, a roller over which the strip is arranged to bepassed, and a second roller 11 ving reduced portions at the ends thereofcooperating with said first roller whereby a cooperative grippingengagement may be effected by said rollers of only that portion of thestrip lying between said strip edges, said rollers being provided withcooperating die members for forming said offsets in th strip portiongripped thereby.

2. In apparatus for forming offsets in a strip of sheet material,rollers cooperative to grip the strip for forming offsets only betweenthe side edges thereof upon the movement of the material between therollers, one of said rollers being arranged to engage the stripthroughout the full width thereof and the other of said rollers being soreduced opposite a strip edge as to avoid a gripping of said edgebetween the rollers.

3. In apparatus for forming furring offsets in reinforcing nettinghaving thickened selvage edges, rollers providing male and female dieportions arranged to cooperatively engage the netting in the portionsbetween the said selvage edges for forming furring offsets therein, oneof said rollers being reduced opposite said selvage edges of saidnetting.

4. In apparatus for forming furring offsets in a strip of sheetmaterial, parallel rollers arranged to cooperatively engage the stripfor simultaneously drawing it between them and forming said offsetstherein, and means manually operative against the'edges of the uncrimpedstrip portion for guiding the strip for movement in a line longitudinalthereof and perpendicularly related to the common line of contact of thestrip with the rollers.

5. In apparatus for forming furring offsets in a strip of sheetmaterial, a frame, parallel rollers mounted in said frame and arrangedto cooperatively engage the strip for forming said offsets therein, andlevers pivoted to said frame and arranged to be manually brought to bearagainst the side edges of said strip and laterally thereof for guidingthe strip for effecting its longitudinal delivery to the rollers in aline perpendicularly related tothe common line of contact of the stripwith the rollers.

6. In apparatus for forming furring olfsets in reinforcing netting, apair of rollers cooperative to grip the netting between thickenedselvage edges thereof for simultaneously advancing it and forming saidoffsets therein, a second pair of rollers cooperative to grip thenetting for advancing it toward said first-rollers, and means includinga foot pedal for effecting an inoperative disposition of said secondrollers during the rotation thereof.

7. In apparatus for forming furring offsets in reinforcing nettinghaving thickened selvage edges, a pair of rollers having reducedportions, said rollers cooperating to grip the netting solelyintermediate said edges for simultaneously advancing it and forming saidoffsets therein, and a second pair of rollers cooperative to grip thenetting solely between said edges for advancing it toward said firstrollers, said second rollers having a circumferential speed less thanthat of said first rollers whereby excess tension on said netting may beobviated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Chicago, Illinois,this 26th day of September, 1927.

CHARLES C. OVERMIRE.

